Why should you use Eco & Pet friendly cleaners?

Ever since owning Bailey, my epileptic beagle, I have tried and tested many, many cleaning products. As Bailey is epileptic, I have to try to avoid as many triggers as I can, so he does not seizure (fit). Triggers can include, but are not limited to, chemicals found in vaccinations, parasite treatment, medicines, cleaning products and also can be from, rosemary, rabbit, turkey, some dry dog foods, stress etc.

Cleaning products are fast becoming a problem, with chemicals ending up in our waterways and oceans, as well as the plastic bottles they come in! Not to mention what using harsh chemicals can be doing to ours and our pets health unknowingly!

Obviously, because most animals are closer to the floor, they have more chance of being effected by these chemicals, as well as ingesting them when licking their paws.

While some products are natural, not all are safe for pets! Essential oils should be used correctly, and tea-tree oil is deadly for cats. If you do want to use commercial cleaning products, be sure to read the label to make sure that it is ‘pet friendly’. It should also have ‘non-toxic, chemical free and biodegradable’ on them for them to be safe for the environment as well.

What chemicals are bad for our pets?

Ammonia: found in many polishers, can be harmful when breathed in by our pets, especially to their lungs. If ammonia is mixed with bleach or chlorine (commonly used to clean floors, windows and toilets), it causes poisonous gases that can be cause coughing, vomiting and breathing problems, as wells as being deadly to plants, trees and small mammals.

2-butoxyethanol: Can cause irritation in the eyes and nose, and can cause birth defects in pregnant animals.

Pyrethrin’s: bad for cats and fish.

Toxins in aerosols should also be avoided around reptiles and birds.

Phosphorous & Nitrogen: can be harmful in large quantities, causing vomiting & breathing difficulties.

Natural products you can use:

• baking soda
  safe for you, your pet, and the environment, it’s effective and easy to get;

• lemon juice
  a natural acid great for fighting bacteria;

• soap
  if it’s unscented, it’s biodegradable, and also very effective at cleaning almost anything. Just don’t use soaps containing petroleum distillates;

• white vinegar
  excellent from removing grease, odors, mildew, as well as stains;

• alcohol
  great disinfectant, especially vodka for removing unpleasant smells, while grain alcohol is usually used for cleaning;

• washing soda
  also known as SAL Soda, this is a mineral that removes grease, softens water, removes hardcore stains and successfully cleans tubs, tiles, and walls. However, don’t use it on aluminium and be careful as it could irritate mucous membranes;

• corn starch
  you can use it to clean carpets, rugs, and windows, but also to polish furniture.